Technology-driven showcase at Taipei PLAS 2014

Taiwan’s  plastic & rubber machinery industry rode on a wave of optimism during Taipei PLAS 2014, as exports rebounded by 2.3% in the period Jan-Aug 2014 in a challenging global economy. Export growth over the period was driven by China (+6.1%), Viet Nam (+30%), and Japan (+20%) year-on-year, government figures show. The 5-day event that ended September 30 saw an influx of buyers from emerging markets including India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Co-hosts Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) organised one-on-one meetings between 39 buyers from 17 countries with the industry’s top vendors, some of whom are featured here.

Platform for Asian automation
WETEC is the go-to company for plastic automation technology in Taiwan, whether for automotive, packaging, medical and electronics applications. While a small operation in the dynamic robot systems landscape, the company’s reach is global with a presence in the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. China historically remains its largest market, where demand has required a new facility in Ningbo, with an output of 200 standard robots per month by 2015. This year, however, Indonesia has been the biggest market for WETEC.

High-tech robots and control systems will continue to be built in Taiwan, said WETEC director Allen Lin, to serve IML, pick-and-place, PET preform and post-mold cooling, and cutlery automation operations. “In general, our automation systems cost 15 to 20 percent less than comparable models, but the strategy for growth has been to cooperate with other Taiwanese companies so that together we can offer turnkey systems and integrated solutions, and compete with big players offering similar technologies,” he said.

WETEC director Allen Lin and marketing manager Teresa Wang

We Technology Automation Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886 3 397 9588
Fax: +886 3 397 8768
E-mail:  sales2@wetec.com.tw
Website: http://www.wetec.com.tw/

FCS takes top awards at Taipei PLAS
Injection moulding machine specialist, Fu Chun Shin Machinery (FCS), took the grand prize for Excellence in Research & Innovation at the Taipei PLAS 2014. FCS reaped awards for the HB-350 RV, a horizontal dual component injection machine, as well as the HE-150, a high-end hybrid injection machine, which met the competition’s brief for high technology content, aesthetics and energy conservation. This focus on design and development is one reason why FCS has managed to grow 32% in a “fickle international market,” commented FCS deputy CEO Alan Wang.

Benjamin Lee, director (left), and Alan Wang, deputy CEO, FCS Machinery

What made the award-winning 350-ton HB-350 RV a standout is a new milestone in the design: Two injections units flank a horizontal rotating platen, each of which can produce the same component or two different ones depending on the product design, has the same moulding capacity a traditional 1000-ton two platen injection moulding machine. The horizontal turntable can withstand up to 3,600kg and has a cycle time of 3 seconds. Strong interest has been generated in the car component sector as the HB-350 RV demonstrated its capability to produce lightweight polycarbonate-glazed car windows to replace glass in both hybrid and electric cars.

Fu Chun Shin Machinery Manufacture Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886 6 595 0688
Fax: +886 6 595 1129
E-mail: fcsco@fcs.com.tw
Website: www.fcs.com.tw


Key operator
Providing essential equipment for processing plastic raw materials, such as drying and dehumidifying, heating and cooling, and dosing and mixing, Shini has seen its market grow to over 60 countries. Five years ago, Shini also entered the automation sector and now produces robots intended for the rapid and precise removal of sprue and products from injection moulding machines. “The company now has six plants, including a factory that opened in Pune, India, earlier this year,” said Kenny Wu, president of Shini. “A new facility is being constructed in Chongqing, China, which will product basic parts for the company’s equipment portfolio.”

Shini’s facilities in China export to Asia, Europe and South America, but the Middle Kingdom still has the biggest share (40%) of the market. The financial headquarters remain in Taiwan, while all new products are developed in the company’s tech center in Dongguan, China. This facility is supported by a technology center and warehouse in Atlanta, GA in the United States, which Mr. Wu predicts will be growth market in 2015.

SHINI president Kenny Wu

Shini Plastics Technology, Inc.
Tel: +886 2 2680 9119
Fax: +886 2 2680 9229
E-mail: taipei@shini.com
Website: www.shini.com


High precision in an eco-friendly system
Addressing the needs of the semiconductor, optoelectronic, biomedical, and precision micro-components manufacturers, New Power Team (NPT) has now launched the VH50-E20 hybrid injection moulding machine that means a reasonable investment in a roll-to-roll system.The system, which combines Japanese technology and a Made-in-Taiwan price, could be a deal-maker in a highly competitive environment.

Low Yew Fook, NPT business development head

“This new hybrid direct pressure injection moulding machine will allow manufacturers to improve their efficiency and productivity while creating more competitive products,” said Low Yew Fook, NPT business development head. “It offers a total automated solution that can be customised to meet the specifications and requirements of our customers, and still meet the eco-friendly and energy-saving demands that the industry now requires.”

New Power Team Technology, Inc.
Tel: +886 3 386 7671
Fax: +886 3 386 7675
Website: www.nptti.com.tw


Pressured to excel
Unlike the other top vendors, Continent Machinery had no new plastic extruder and pelletiser systems to show. Sales engineer Pier Hung explained, “We’re showing our classic range, which is based on our 30 years of recycling experience, since we designed and customised to customer specifications.” In each machine, Taiwan design is complemented with a US-made motor, Japanese inverter, and contact switches from France

Pier Hung, Continent Machinery Sales Engineer

Twin screw extruders are the leading exports for Continent, which counts China, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand as its major markets in Asia. “There are many competitors in this market, but we prefer it that way,” Mr. Hung said, “because it pressures us to always do better.”

Continent Machinery Industries Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886 2 2557 11618
Fax: +886 2 2549 6577
E-mail: cmic@ms24.hinet.net
Website: www.continent-machine.com

Avita Machinery Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886 2 2781 1938 0597
Fax: +886 2 2781  0597
E-mail: service@avitaplas.com　
Website: www.avitaplas.com


Biggest injection moulding machine
Asian Plastic, the international division of the Chen Hsong Group, showcased what it describes as the biggest injection moulding machine in Asia. “At 6,500 tonnes, the Super Master DC is the largest in Asia and is designed to meet the requirements of the automotive industry,” said area sales manager Kevin Huang.

Kevin Huang, Asia Plastic Machinery Sales Manager

The Super Master DC series overcome features the efficiency of rotary table and avoids the table leaning forward or tilting. The design of multi-stage speed helps eliminate rotary inertia. With improved lubrication system, a savings of 50% in lubrication oil consumption is achieved. The unit adopts wider space between tie bars for compatibility with various types of mould.  Supermaster DP series has already applied in automotive industry for 20 years and recently demonstrated satisfying selling performance in Asian emerging market. Supermaster DP stresses the authentic two-platen design and it contributes to the effective plant space usage. The chuck uses toggle design to facilitate the precision and low noise movement. The extremely wide opening stroke and abundant daylight of clamping unit are extraordinary suitable for producing various type of huge plastics.     

Asian Plastic Machinery Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886 3 452 2288
Fax: +886 3 452 0261
E-mail: asian@asianplastic.com.tw
Website: www.asianplastic.com.tw

Chen Hsong Machinery Co., Ltd.
Tel: +852 2665 3888 / +852 2665 3222
Fax: +852 2664 1115
E-mail: comm@chenhsong.com
Website: www.chenhsong.com



Extrusion expertise
Fong Kee International (FKI) showcased its co-extrusion blow mouulding capabilities with a demonstration of its HBA series, which can be used to produce 100mm to 30 litre bottles, jerry cans and containers. The fully automated blow molding series offers high productivity with low power consumption, said FKI vice president and CEO Charles T. J. Wei. Featured in the demonstration were 30-litre jerry cans. “Using HDPE, there is up to 15% less wastage whilst having a jerry can that has a smoother mouth,” explained Mr. Wei. The next step in the development of the HBA series will be fully servo-driven alternative to be launched in the 3rd quarter of 2015, he revealed, explaining that the 40 to 50 percent difference in cost of a fully electric blowmoulding machine will be offset by savings in power consumption.

Charles T.J. Wei, Fong Kee International CEO

Fong Kee International Machinery Co, Ltd.
Tel: +886-6 2532 157
Fax: +886-6 2533 079
E-mail: sales@fki.com
Website: www.fki.com


All-electric rubber compression unit
Tung Yu launched its all-electric TYC rubber compression moulding machine, which features a clamping force that will allow a wide range of different products. Savings are a big benefit of the design, said vice general manager Steven Yen. “Compared to hydraulic models, there will be savings in electricity, oil and water,” he said. “We estimate up to 80% savings in power consumption with this all-electric servo motor unit compared to the traditional model.” The all-electric TYC rubber compression moulding machine is suitable for the medical devices and pharmaceutical packaging industries using composite materials. Tung Yu is now in the process of developing similar equipment to handle TPE.

Vice general manager Steven Yen

Tung Yu Machinery Hydraulic Machinery Co., Ltd.
Tel: +886-49 2253 558
Fax: +886-49 2252 998
E-mail: tungyu@tungyu.com
Website: www.tungyu.com